Bad Girl Reputation follows Genevive and Evan- who broke up when Gen abruptly left town a year ago. Now she’s back, summoned to her mother’s funeral and needed to help her dad keep his business running. Evan is unwilling to let Gen go again- but it’ll take everything he’s got to convince Gen to give him a second chance. Genevive has sobered up and is determined to get her life back on track- which doesn’t include Evan. Yet the two can’t manage to stay away and the real reason why Gen left Avalon Bay comes up. Can Evan and Gen make it together or are they better off apart?

This was a great second-chance romance and I enjoyed being back in Avalon Bay. I really admired how determined Gen was to get her life back on track and how hard she worked to keep the family business going. I also loved how Evan never gave up on Gen, took her seriously, and decided to be an “upstanding citizen” to win her back. Evan and Gen have a long history and this was evident in how well they knew each other and could practically read each other's minds. Readers who read The Good Girl Complex will enjoy the cameos from Mac, Cooper, and Daisy. I’m curious to see who will be next in the series and look forward to reading more about Avalon Bay! Thank you to Elle Kennedy, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Scatter of Light is a vivid and moving story. It follows Aria, a teenager who is abruptly forced to spend her summer with her grandma in the Bay Area. Aria does not expect to make friends or find anyone who truly understands her. But then she meets Steph. Steph, who is already in a relationship. When Aria begins to spend time with the queer community she has found, she questions her own identity. As gay marriage is debated and her connection to Steph deepens, Aria must decide what she truly hopes to achieve this summer.

I absolutely loved this queer coming-of-age story. Malinda Lo is an expert at drawing out the tension between wondering about your identity and the complexity of finding certain people attractive. Steph and Aria’s story is one of heartbreak, joy, shared grief, and exploration. I appreciated how Aria got to choose on her own terms who she came out to and focused on how it made her feel. I loved Aria’s relationship with her grandma and how she maintained one with her deceased grandpa by learning about his astronomy work. I also loved the cameo for Kath and Lily, it made me so happy! Malinda Lo does such a beautiful job with exploring queerness, queer love, and the queer community. There are so many little moments that I identified with, from joy to grief. The details are beautiful and created a story I didn’t want to put down. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys coming-of-age stories and queer love. I love Malinda Lo’s writing and this was no exception! Thank you to Malinda Lo, Penguin Teen, and Bookish First for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Clash is a heartwarming and enjoyable adventure. Chloe and Peter have never gotten along- they come from opposing restaurant families. But when their shared mall home is threatened, they must work together to try and save both restaurants. Along the way, Chloe gets to know the real Peter behind his smiles and Peter sees how deeply Chloe cares for her family. Can they save the mall before it's too late?

The Christmas Clash is a perfect lighthearted read for the holidays. Chloe and Peter manage to balance the struggles of the mall along with the pressures of being in high school and attempting to navigate a future. My favorite part of the book was the nuanced portrayal of their families and how they always did their best, whatever that looked like. Chloe and Peter have plenty of cute moments between them as they advocate for the mall owners, many of whom struggle to understand the legal documents they have been presented with. The Christmas Clash would be ideal for readers who love the holidays, unlikely alliances, and a sweet romance.

Thank you to Suzanne Park, Sourcebooks Fire, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just Like Magic is one of the best holiday books I’ve read yet! Bettie Hughes has hit rock bottom. She is literally squatting in a dead woman’s apartment. This Christmas, she is summoned back to her family’s annual gathering, where the truth about her circumstances will be revealed. Of course, this requires alcohol. This leads to Bettie accidentally summoning a holiday spirit! Hall is determined to get Bettie into the holiday spirit, which includes granting her every wish. Bettie brings Hall to the family party as her fiancé, where Hall begins to lift her spirits and help make this the most memorable family gathering yet. But the more Bettie enjoys her time with Hall, Hall’s time on Earth grows shorter. What will happen when his time runs out? 

One thing I absolutely love about Sarah Hogle is that if she has an idea, she will fully commit to it and utterly smash it. The idea for this book is unique, yet I felt she completely pulled it off. I absolutely love her sense of humor, which ranges from seeing how far an idea can be pushed to blink and you’ll miss it. I loved the wide cast of characters, who all felt simultaneously realistic and absurd (in a good way!). I especially adored Bettie’s grandpa and how he was always looking out for her without her knowing it. Bettie and Hall have a romance unlike any that readers will have seen before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a book for readers who love the holidays, hilarious banter, and wish the Hallmark channel had better dialogue. Thank you to Sarah Hogle, Penguin Group Putnam, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.